:''See: [http://www.scouting.org/FILESTORE/pdf/02-502.pdf What Is Cub Scouting?]

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::OR

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:*boys in the first through fifth grade and are not registered in a Boy Scout troop.

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The Tiger Cub program for first graders and their adult partners emphasizes shared leadership, learning about the community, and family understanding. The Wolf and Bear Cub activities for second and third graders emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) participate in more advanced activities that begin to prepare them to become Boy Scouts.

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Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA’s three membership divisions. (The others are [[Boy Scouting]] and [[Venturing]].)

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==Advancement==

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==Cub Scout Advancement==

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''See also:[[Cub Scout Advancement Policies]].''

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Everything a Cub Scout does in the advancement program is intended to achieve the [[#Aims of Scouting|Aims of Scouting]] and aid in personal growth.

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* [[Bobcat badge]] → The first rank earned by every boy in Cub Scouting as a part of the joining requirements.

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*The [[Tiger Cub Scout|Tiger Cub Program]] and [[Tiger Cub Electives|Electives]] are for a first grade or 7-year-old Cub Scout with their adult partners to emphasize shared leadership, learning about the community, and family understanding.

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*The [[Wolf Cub Scout|Wolf Program]] and [[Wolf Electives|Electives]] are for a second-grade or 8-year-old Cub Scout.

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*The [[Bear Cub Scout|Bear Program]] and [[Bear Electives|Electives]] are for a Cub Scout in the third grade (or 9 years old).

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*The [[Webelos Scout|Webelos Scout Program]] and [[Webelos Activity Badges]] are for a Cub Scout who has completed the third grade or is age 10 but has not yet completed fifth grade or reached age 11 1/2. The word "Webelos" means '''WE''''ll '''BE LO'''yal '''S'''couts, and should always be used as a modifier, never as a noun.

Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to [[pack committee]] chairmen, committee members, [[den leader]]s, and [[chartered organization representative]]s.

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* [[Bobcat badge]] → The first rank earned by every boy in Cub Scouting.

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Like other phases of the Scouting program, a Cub Scout pack belongs to an organization with interests similar to those of the BSA. This organization, which might be a church, school, community organization, or group of interested citizens, is chartered by the local BSA council to use the Scouting program. This chartered organization provides a suitable meeting place, adult leadership, supervision, and opportunities for a healthy Scouting life for the boys under its care. Each organization appoints one of its members as a [[chartered organization representative]]. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for pack activities.

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* [[Tiger Cub Cub Scout|Tiger]] → A boy who is in the first grade (or is 7 years old) and registered, with his adult partner, as a member of a Tiger Cub den. [http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/library/boys/34713.aspx Tiger Handbook]

* [[Bear Cub Scout|Bear]] → The rank designed for a Cub Scout in the third grade (or 9 years old). [http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/library/boys/33451.aspx Bear Handbook]

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* [[Webelos Scout]] → (Pronounced WEE-buh-los.) A Cub Scout who has completed the third grade or is age 10 but has not yet completed fifth grade or reached age 11 1/2. The word "Webelos" (means WE'll BE LOyal Scouts) should always be used as a modifier, never as a noun. [http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/library/boys/33452.aspx Webelos Handbook]

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* [[Arrow of Light award]] - The highest rank in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

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== Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program (Belt Loops and Pins) ==

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{{clear}}

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{{Main|Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program}}

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The [[Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program]] is designed toward the third aim of Scouting: the development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. It is an optional program for all Cub Scouts and is designed to assist in learning or improving skills. Belt loops are awarded for completing standards in various academic and sport fields. Advanced skills are recognized by pins, displayed on the Cub Scout Academic and Sports letter.

[[Age-Appropriate Guidelines|Age-appropriate]] camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings [[Tiger]], [[Wolf]], [[Bear]], and [[Webelos]] Scouts into the great out-of-doors. [[Day Camp]] comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; [[Cub Scout Resident Camp]] is overnight camping with a theme of adventure and excitement. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one’s best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

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*[[Tiger Cub Electives]]

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==History of Cub Scouting==

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*[[Wolf Electives]]

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:''From: [http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/AboutCubScouts/history.aspx The History of Cub Scouting]. Also see: [[Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights]]

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*[[Bear Electives]]

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In 1914, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouting, began implementing a program for younger boys that was based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. The Wolf Cub program began in 1916, and since that time, Wolf Cubbing has spread to other European countries with very little change.

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*[[Webelos Activity Badges]]

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In America, hundreds of Cub Scout-age boys and their families were clamoring for a program of their own. As early as 1920, Scout executives at the first national training conference discussed the needs of younger boys. The BSA, however, felt it wise to postpone any action until there was more objective evidence.

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In 1930, Cub Scouting was formally launched, with 5,102 boys registered at the end of that first year. By 1933 the time had come to promote Cub Scouting throughout the country as a part of Scouting. All experimental restrictions were removed, and the first national director of Cub Scouting was appointed. Cubs advanced from Bobcat (for all new members) to Wolf (age 9), Bear (age 10), and Lion (age 11) and joined a Boy Scout troop at age 12.

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Cub Scouting in America is different from the younger-boy programs of other countries because it is centered in the home and neighborhood. With the encouragement of family and leaders, boys enjoy a program that covers a wide variety of interesting things. It suggests activities that boys enjoy doing on their own when adults are not supervising them. These activities are particularly suited to boys of Cub Scout age and are different from those they will encounter in Boy Scouting.

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Key dates in Cub Scouting:

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* 1929 The National Executive Board approves demonstration Cub units.

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* 1930 Cub Scouting was formally launched

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* 1933 Experimental" restrictions removed.

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* 1941 [[Webelos rank]] created for 11-year-old boys with the Lion badge.

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* 1945 "Cubbing" changed to "Cub Scouting."

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* 1949 Age levels for Cub Scouting changed to 8, 9, and 10, with Boy Scouting at 11. One million Cub Scouts.

{{quote|The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the [[Scout Oath]] and [[Scout Law|Law]].}}

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==Aims of Scouting==

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<u>All levels</u> of the Scouting program share three specific objectives:

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*Character development

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*Citizenship training

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*Personal fitness

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;Character

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One is growth in ''moral strength and character''. We may define this as what the boy is himself; his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

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;Citizenship

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A second is ''participating [[citizenship]]''. Used broadly, [[citizenship]] means the boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.

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;Fitness

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A third aim of Scouting is ''development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness''. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

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==Purposes of Cub Scouting==

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{{main|Purposes of Cub Scouting}}

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{|

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|<ol><li>Character Development

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<li>Spiritual Growth

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<li>Good Citizenship

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<li>Sportsmanship and Fitness

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<li>Family Understanding

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||

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<ol><li value="6">Respectful Relationships

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<li>Personal Achievement

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<li>Friendly Service

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<li>Fun and Adventure

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<li>Preparation for Boy Scouts</ol>

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|}

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==Methods of Cub Scouting==

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{{main|Methods of Cub Scouting}}

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{|

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|<ol><li>Living the [[Scouting Ideals|Ideals]]

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<li>Belonging to a [[Den]]

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<li>Using [[Cub Scout Advancement|Advancement]]

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<li>Involving Family and Home

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||

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<ol><li value="5">Participating in Activities

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<li>Serving Neighborhood and Community

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<li>Wearing the [[Cub Scout Uniform|Uniform]]

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<li>Making [[Character Connections]]</ol>

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|}

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==Core Values of Cub Scouting==

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{{main|Character Connections}}

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{|

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|<ol><li>Citizenship

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<li>Compassion

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<li>Cooperation

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<li>Courage

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<li>Faith

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<li>Health and Fitness

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||

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<ol><li value="7">Honesty

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<li>Perseverance

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<li>Positive Attitude

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<li>Resourcefulness

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<li>Respect

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<li>Responsibility</ol>

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|}

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'''Pending Change:''' In October 2012, BSA announced plans to replace the Cub Scout core values with the Boy Scout Scout Law. This change is part of the pending retirement of the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. The tentative change over date is the middle of 2015. This change and others are the result of recommendations of the Strategic Plan Goal 411 Task Force and the Venturing Task Force.

Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA’s three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)

The Webelos Scout Program and Webelos Activity Badges are for a Cub Scout who has completed the third grade or is age 10 but has not yet completed fifth grade or reached age 11 1/2. The word "Webelos" means WE'll BE LOyal Scouts, and should always be used as a modifier, never as a noun.

Like other phases of the Scouting program, a Cub Scout pack belongs to an organization with interests similar to those of the BSA. This organization, which might be a church, school, community organization, or group of interested citizens, is chartered by the local BSA council to use the Scouting program. This chartered organization provides a suitable meeting place, adult leadership, supervision, and opportunities for a healthy Scouting life for the boys under its care. Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization representative. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for pack activities.

Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program (Belt Loops and Pins)

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program is designed toward the third aim of Scouting: the development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. It is an optional program for all Cub Scouts and is designed to assist in learning or improving skills. Belt loops are awarded for completing standards in various academic and sport fields. Advanced skills are recognized by pins, displayed on the Cub Scout Academic and Sports letter.

Camping

Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts into the great out-of-doors. Day Camp comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; Cub Scout Resident Camp is overnight camping with a theme of adventure and excitement. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one’s best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.

History of Cub Scouting

In 1914, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouting, began implementing a program for younger boys that was based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. The Wolf Cub program began in 1916, and since that time, Wolf Cubbing has spread to other European countries with very little change.

In America, hundreds of Cub Scout-age boys and their families were clamoring for a program of their own. As early as 1920, Scout executives at the first national training conference discussed the needs of younger boys. The BSA, however, felt it wise to postpone any action until there was more objective evidence.

In 1930, Cub Scouting was formally launched, with 5,102 boys registered at the end of that first year. By 1933 the time had come to promote Cub Scouting throughout the country as a part of Scouting. All experimental restrictions were removed, and the first national director of Cub Scouting was appointed. Cubs advanced from Bobcat (for all new members) to Wolf (age 9), Bear (age 10), and Lion (age 11) and joined a Boy Scout troop at age 12.

Cub Scouting in America is different from the younger-boy programs of other countries because it is centered in the home and neighborhood. With the encouragement of family and leaders, boys enjoy a program that covers a wide variety of interesting things. It suggests activities that boys enjoy doing on their own when adults are not supervising them. These activities are particularly suited to boys of Cub Scout age and are different from those they will encounter in Boy Scouting.

BSA Mission Statement

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

”

Aims of Scouting

All levels of the Scouting program share three specific objectives:

Character development

Citizenship training

Personal fitness

Character

One is growth in moral strength and character. We may define this as what the boy is himself; his personal qualities, his values, his outlook.

Citizenship

A second is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the boy's relationship to others. He comes to learn obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.

Fitness

A third aim of Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

Core Values of Cub Scouting

Pending Change: In October 2012, BSA announced plans to replace the Cub Scout core values with the Boy Scout Scout Law. This change is part of the pending retirement of the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. The tentative change over date is the middle of 2015. This change and others are the result of recommendations of the Strategic Plan Goal 411 Task Force and the Venturing Task Force.